Overview

• Pavel Durov posted on X that French intelligence contacted him through an intermediary a year ago to help remove Moldovan Telegram channels ahead of the presidential election.
• He said Telegram reviewed channels flagged by French and Moldovan authorities, deleted those that clearly violated platform rules, and was told French services would speak favorably to the judge in his French case.
• France’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegation via its official French Response account on X, noting Durov’s pattern of making such claims during elections.
• The new accusation echoes a similar charge Durov made during Romania’s presidential race in May and has not been independently corroborated by reporters.
• Durov remains under formal investigation in France over alleged complicity in criminal activity, and Elon Musk amplified his post with a one-word reaction.